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What would you do?

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by oz_media

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I belong to a golf magazine subcription/club that entitles members to lower green fees, tour passes etc. They have a lot of advertising partners and often promote new products and allow members to test and keep products etc.

I received a package my mail (details on that in a bit) that contained a training video and DVD. The letter enclosed stated that it was an introductory offer and should I choose to keep it I must send payment or send it back with prepaid postage supplied.

Now this is common for MOST magazines, CD?DVD clubs etc....BUT...that's after you have agreed to take the CD's, magazines etc. to begin with.

Now I receive and have paid for the magazine subscription, but this additional offer 6 months after subscribing to the magazine, is completely independant. I am sure that this 'negative marketing' practice is illegal in BC and am looking into my obligations to either subscribe or box this stuff up and take it to the post office for return.

I suppose it is more of a morals issue, it's not a big deal to go into town and send this stuff back, but why SHOULD I anyway? I didn't ask for it or approve it in anyway, yes I read the magazine obligations regarding accepting associate offers.

Now back to the mail part itself.

I live in a rural area, mail is collected down the road from a set of community mailboxes on the side of the road. When I receive a package that doesn't fit the box, I get a 'pick-up' card to go to the Post Office and get the box. In THIS case, the mailman had left the box sitting on TOP of the mailboxes themselves. ANYONE including someone just driving down the road could have stopped and picked it up!

So given the above, I will find out my actual obligations here, what would you do?

Normally I wouldn't think twice and just send 'em back (like when Columbia House sends you the monthly 'music choice')but I haven't asked for this and don't want it. I certainly wouldn't subscribe to buying a whole set!

Just the double whammy, bad marketing campaign and even worse mail delivery really makes me feel unobligated to respond.

22 replies

by tomsal

I think I understand what you are saying...usually a magazine will first offer you the chance to take up a deal for something like DVDs BEFORE they send you one.

I believe you are right -- you have no obligation here, they are the ones that gambled by arbitrarily shipping you a DVD before finding out your interest.

However, you can't (well at least if you want to be of clear conscious (sp?) anyway) keep it. I'd trash it. Don't open it or anything just -- plunk in the trash.

by oz_media

Always happy to hear form you, thanks for your reply.

I actually opened the main box to fin teh DVD and video tape inside (letter says as thay don't know my preference they hae sent both, duh!)and the DVD is not sealed nor is the tape.

I viewed the DVD with a thought of possibly subscribing, but it was just another 50,000 things to try and remember on the golf course. these tips videos are a waste of time as you aren't supposed to think of that many hings at the tee, just one or two points each time.

I figured I could always burn a copy (it's not sealed) but it isn't worth it.

I think I'll trash it, cheers and have a great weekend!

by mrafrohead

You didn't ask for it.

For them to require you to spend time out of your day to accomadate them in their marketing venture is obscene...

I would just keep it, or throw it away before I would send it back. And if they tried to give you any crap for it, tell them to go you know where...

But that's just my opinion...

Mrafrohead

by oz_media

I see we have a lot more in common than we used to think.

Don't know how we got off on such a bad foot last year, we seem to agree on most everything now?!?

Oh well, thanks and enjoy your weekend.

by mrafrohead

That's probably not a good thing to be too much like me as I've been told I'm not exactly one of the greatest people in the world ;p

But at least I'm honest!

The only reason we got along poorly in the beginning was, well we both know why. No sense in bringing up old crap ;p

I think that we've moved beyond that.

Just remember, if I ever meet ya, No, I dont' want gravy and cheeze on my friez!!! Just chili ;p

Mrafrohead

by oz_media

They actually sent a shipping label, but I will still need to repack it and take it to the post office.

I say phuque'em

by Former member

This sounds like the poorest conceived marketing ploy I've ever heard. I say keep it if it's useful or trash it if it isn't. I definitely would not send it back. I'm not one for doing what is morally wrong, nor am I one for lying, but this sounds simply irresponsible. If they press you for payment tell them you never received it. If they used normal mail they have no way of knowing if you actually have it or not.

Pitiful. They deserve to be screwed by a few subscribers. Stick it to them, Oz!

by guruofdos

Have you got a dog? Or, better still, do this yourself.

Take a shoe box or other cardboard carton of similar dimensions. Find a suitably proportioned polythene bag and deposit a nice big fat juicy dog-turd (or curl one down yourself, after a night on the Guinness) in said bag. Seal up the bag and enclose it in the carton with a covering letter and send to the DVD distributors:

Dear Sirs

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind DVD offer, which I shall decline to accept, but in return and as a 'personal thank-you' I offer you the chance to subscribe to my 'Turd Of The Month Club'. Please find enclosed your first installment from 'the heart of my bottom'. For the chance to recieve one of these fine individually crafted works of art every month, simply enclose a cheque or money order for $.... (choose an appropriate sum!) and return today!

I'm sure you will agree that a subscription to the 'Turd Of The Month Club' will reward you enormously. Over the months your collection will build into something you can be really proud of. Why not recommend a subscription to your friends, or even give one as a gift to the ones you love?

Remember, every 'Richard The Third' is guaranteed to be absolutely unique and in the unlikely event that you are not happy with any monthly installment, we will be more than happy to send an immediate replacement AND allow you to keep the original at NO EXTRA CHARGE!

This is a very special offer, not to be sniffed at, but is only available for a very limited time. Subscribe now!!

Sincerely yours

Mr R. Sole
Turd Of The Month Club

Guru

(Well, I thought it was a funny idea!!)

by oz_media

I just about crapped myself reading it. That is so freakin hilarious! Thank you so much for your input I will CERTAINLY consider it.

I noticed your 'Richard The Third' comment, unfortunately, not too many cockney's on TR.

My dad had ALL of them down pat at one time, he could rhyme all day what a hoot.

And afro-Americans took credit for rap? They haven't heard some good cockney rhyme.

But anyway, it's time to put on the Rhythm and Blues and get out of the Rat and Mouse. Sun is shining and my new motorbike is beconing me.

Have a great weekend mate, lemmeno if those cards show up.

by guruofdos

At least you didn't 'poo poo' my idea!

Years ago, a common 'sport' amongst naughty kids was to sneak up someone's garden path, ring the doorbell, then scarper. Much mirth and laughter ensued as you hid around the corner and watched some old duffer look around confused, then go back inside. Repeat two or three times until caught or the novelty wore off.

Well, as a student in college (back in the 80's) a few of my 'peers' took this a step further. Instead of just ringing the bell and clearing off, a favourite trick was to 'crimp one off' into a polythene bag and then douse it in Zippo lighter fuel. The bag was then strategicly placed on a 'victims' doorstep, the bell would be rung and a match applied to the bag. On answering the door, the 'target' would be faced with a ball of flame. Of course, the natural reaction would be to stamp on the flames...with the result that crap would fly everywhere - almost literally!

Fortunately, we've all grown up (a little) since then, but I still smile when I remember one or two of the occasions when the old 'flaming log' trick was so perfect (timing is critical!) that it was talked about in student bars for weeks on end!!

by guruofdos

At least you didn't 'poo poo' my idea!

Years ago, a common 'sport' amongst naughty kids was to sneak up someone's garden path, ring the doorbell, then scarper. Much mirth and laughter ensued as you hid around the corner and watched some old duffer look around confused, then go back inside. Repeat two or three times until caught or the novelty wore off.

Well, as a student in college (back in the 80's) a few of my 'peers' took this a step further. Instead of just ringing the bell and clearing off, a favourite trick was to 'crimp one off' into a polythene bag and then douse it in Zippo lighter fuel. The bag was then strategicly placed on a 'victims' doorstep, the bell would be rung and a match applied to the bag. On answering the door, the 'target' would be faced with a ball of flame. Of course, the natural reaction would be to stamp on the flames...with the result that crap would fly everywhere - almost literally!

Fortunately, we've all grown up (a little) since then, but I still smile when I remember one or two of the occasions when the old 'flaming log' trick was so perfect (timing is critical!) that it was talked about in student bars for weeks on end!!

by oz_media

The old flaming bag'o'steamer.

I was going to add but I think I'll refrain after a long pause as there is no edit feature.
:-)

by oz_media

The old flaming bag'o'steamer.

I was going to add but I think I'll refrain after a long pause as there is no edit feature.

:-)

by maecuff

Y'all make me glad I'm female. I've never known another female to defecate in a bag as part of any type of prank. yuck.

by oz_media

Obviously we don't know the same females!

When working as a security foreman for the Vancouver Canucks, I have seen women get pissed off (bad pun) climb onto the hood of an opposing fans car and let a stream go. I have caught really disgusting women deficating in the most bizzare places around the fairgrounds (Canucks used to play beside Vancouver's PNE fairgrounds).

As for concerts, that's just a repulsive mess of drunk men and women who will do alomst anything alomst anywhere.

Now I am not saying this is how most women act in Vancouver at all, but when you get dunk women in public places, the pristine facade gets lost very quickly.

Luckily I was the foreman and merely had staff handle the issues and never had to get my hands dirty, so to speak.

by i call it as i see it !

If it is worth keeping, consider it a gift.
If junk send it back so they incur postage.

Had a similar thing with American Express. They started sending me high price magazines, put thr carge on my bill. When I called to complain they told me that somewhere in all the shit they put in with the bill there was a form I was to return to them if I chose not to want the magazine. Yeah Right! I told them to shove the magazine and while I have you on the phone SHOVE! your charge card.

by oz_media

The postage is prepaid for return, I have to box them back up and take them to the post office.

WHy bother though, I didn't sign for it, I didn't agree to try it, I didn't even find it in the mailbox, it was ON TOP of a streetside community mailbox. DVD's, what DVD's? I haven't received anything. If they were mailed to me, they woudln't fit in the post box and the post office would have left me a pickup card. Therefore, the post office will have record of me picking it up. No record? No pick up. No DVD.

by sleepin'dawg

The idea is to get you to pay out of fear or guilt for what they do whether asked for or not. Try this with your house or car insuance. At renewal time before it expires hunt around for the best rate available. Sign on with the lowest offer. If it is with a new company It is guaranteed your old company will claim they "automatically" re-newed your coverage and since you didn't cancel they are billing you and you owe them. Your defence is they didn't notify you of the policy expiry nor of what the rate would be on the renewal and ask them where it says they have a right to automatic renewal, be careful as some companies have caught on and now include it in the fine print and it has yet to be tested under unfair practices law,

by oz_media

Actually they call it negative marketing in Canada and it s a federal offense.

I have reported it to some French bureau du commissaire type of place that regulates mail under the federal government.

They have taken legal action already and are quite serious about the whole thing. Canada post has also taken whatever action they take against the carrier.

Either way I am keeping the stuff, who knows maybe get 10 bucks on E-Bay :-)

by sleepin'dawg

If you are sent anything unsolicited, regardless of who sent it or why it was sent, legally it is yours to do wih as you see fit. This means you can keep it, return it but you are under no obligation to do so, trash it or give it away. The fact there is no signed receipt just strengthens your case. If they threaten suit tell them you will be filing a counter suit for fraudulent billing and malicious prosecution but be sure to fax the credit bureaus to include copies of the correspondence in your file. Credit bureaus record that you were sued but they don't seem to record the results as to whether you won or lost you have tofile that yourself. That is Canadian law in all provinces as well as the territories. I think US law is similar.

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